Penticton

A car thief from the South Okanagan is facing charges, but at least he broke a provincial record.

Just over two hours after being deployed by Penticton RCMP, a bait car was stolen on August 25.

Sergeant Rick Dellebuur says this shattered the previous record, held by the Victoria PD, of six hours from bait vehicle deployment to theft.

“The vehicle was deployed at 9:15 p.m. Just over two hours later, at 11:22 p.m., RCMP were alerted the bait vehicle had been activated and was in motion. A member located and followed the bait vehicle undetected until further police resources could safely converge on the vehicle. It was also discovered that the driver of a second stolen vehicle, a green GMC Yukon, had assisted with the theft of the bait vehicle,” says Dellebuur.

He says RCMP activated their emergency equipment to stop the two stolen vehicles now traveling together.

“The driver of the bait vehicle and the driver of the Yukon vehicle refused to stop for police. Police were able to deactivate the bait vehicle, at which time the driver of the bait vehicle fled on foot into the bushes. The Yukon was also recovered a short distance away, but the driver had also fled on foot.”

Dellebuur says RCMP reviewed the video surveillance from the bait vehicle and were able to identify both men, one of whom is considered a prolific car thief.

“The driver of the bait vehicle was identified as 25-year-old Christopher Jack, a Penticton resident. Jack was located and arrested and has been charged with a number of Criminal Code charges in connection with the theft of the vehicle and his arrest. The charges include: theft of motor vehicle, theft from motor vehicle, possession of break-in instruments, drive while prohibited, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, resist arrest and assault police officer.”

He says Jack is being held in custody pending his next court appearance.

“Investigation continues regarding the second driver of the Green GMC Yukon.”

Dellebuur says although they have had many incidents where bait vehicles are activated by people opening the doors and looking inside, this is the second time a bait vehicle has actually been stolen from Penticton since they joined the Bait Car program a few years ago.